Dean Robert Leckey handing out copies of the latest Civil Law Code to new students as part of the Welcome Day activities.

On August 27, the entering class of 2018 braved the construction around the Faculty and made their way to Chancellor Day Hall for the very first day of their law studies. Energy was palpable as the Student Affairs Office and the Law Student Association welcomed the incoming cohort.

Dans la salle du tribunal-école Maxwell Cohen, la doyenne adjointe aux admissions Gillian Nycum a prononcé un discours d’accueil inspiré par la pluralité de voies que suivent les diplômées et diplômés de la Faculté et par le renouveau que la Faculté connaît actuellement. Elle a rappelé à la cohorte que, alors qu’il peut être intimidant d’apprendre les impressionnants parcours de leurs nouveaux collègues de classe, tous doivent se souvenir qu’ils et elles ont aussi mérité leur place parmi les rangs de la Faculté.

The McGill Law Student Association (LSA) president Steve Lyberopoulos then welcomed his new colleagues with a humorous and inspiring message. “This place will drive a dent in your status quo,” he assured his audience. This year, the LSA opted for the theme “Lawvengers” for their Orientation week programming.

Dean Robert Leckey then took the podium to introduce himself, the Faculty, and the study of law to the new students. “It’s a great time to be taking up or continuing a legal education,” he highlighted. “While the traditional practice of law is undergoing transformation, the capacities and knowledge you will gain here are powerful ones worth acquiring.”

Le doyen Leckey a conclu son discours d’accueil en partageant quelques-unes des nombreuses possibilités qu’offre la vie étudiante à la Faculté, et en prodiguant des conseils pour conserver un monde de vie sain, inspirés par l’initiative étudiante de promotion de la santé mentale Healthy Legal Minds / Ju(ri)stes en santé.

Lire le discours d’accueil complet du doyen Robert Leckey.

Le doyen et le secrétariat des affaires étudiantes ont finalement procédé à la distribution des Codes civils, marquant symboliquement le début de la nouvelle aventure dans laquelle la cohorte s’était lancée. Bienvenue à tous nos nouveaux étudiants et étudiantes !

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Graduate student welcome lunch

In keeping with tradition, the Graduate Studies Office and the Graduate Law Student Association wrapped up Orientation Week with a lunch on the third floor of New Chancellor Day Hall to welcome the new LLM and DCL students. As a large majority of the class is comprised of international students, Associate Dean (Graduate Studies) Richard Gold warmly encouraged them to venture beyond the walls of the Nahum Gelber Law Library, and to experience everything the lively city of Montreal has to offer. Several professors and current graduate students were in attendance to mingle with the new students, and welcome them to the Faculty’s vibrant and supportive community.

Photos: Lysanne Larose